SRQ Magazine | Celebrate Our Veterans

JULY 2019 // A SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION PRODUCED BY THE CREATIVE SERVICES DIVISION OF SRQ MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE OUR

VETERANS

WE SALUTE GOODWILL MANASOTA, JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST AND SARASOTA FORD FOR THEIR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SUPPORTING VETERANS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. READ ABOUT THE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT AT HOME, FROM SOCIAL SERVICES TO EMPLOYMENT.

JULY 2019 | A SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO SRQ MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS

GOODWILL MANASOTA WE SALUTE

CREATING A SEAMLESS VETERAN SUPPORT SYSTEM

Goodwill Manasota is committed to addressing the multitude of challenges faced by veterans and their families. The nonprofit has worked to create a seamless case management system that supports each veteran’s unique strengths and needs regarding housing, family, education and other challenges, while helping to develop more self-sufficient and productive members of society. This is how Goodwill strives to reach its goal of honoring and recognizing the many sacrifices this country’s veterans have made on our behalf.

Launched in 2013, Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program was created to help veterans reintegrate into their families, communities and

jobs. The program – which is staffed by veterans – provides comprehensive case management and vocational services, while helping veterans navigate the wide array of available social service programs.

In response to a troubling upswing in suicides among veterans, Goodwill’s Veterans Task Force – which provides counsel and guidance for the Veterans Services Program – has taken on mental health as a critical item of focus. Through the recently-launched "Lutz Buddy Up" program, veterans can network and form bonds, and really talk about what they are going through. The ultimate goal is that a buddy in crisis can be connected to needed resources before it becomes a life or death emergency.

Goodwill's hope is that this club will provide a place where those who serve our country and community can form bonds that will carry forward for the rest of their lives. Creating the Lutz Buddy Up social club is just one way the Veterans Task Force plans to address the mental health needs of the veteran community in the coming months and years. Goodwill is proud to serve those who have so bravely and selflessly served us!

“Goodwill's hope is that the lutz buddy up program will provide a place where those who serve our country and community can form bonds that will carry forward for the rest of their lives. ” — Bob Rosinsky, President and CEO, Goodwill Manasota

GOODWILL MANASOTA'S VETERANS SERVICES PROGRAM OFFICE 8490 LOCKWOOD RIDGE ROAD, SARASOTA, FL 34243 941-355-2721 X451 | EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG

JULY 2019 | A SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO SRQ MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS

JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST WE SALUTE

JFCS VETERANS

ABOUT JFCS VETERANS JFCS’ Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP) offers case management, employment services, and financial assistance

to very low-income veterans and their families who are literally homeless or who are about to become homeless to enable them to obtain or maintain stable, permanent housing. The program facilitates connections to VA services and health care benefits and provides life skills education. OMAP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. JFCS is the lead agency for Veterans Stand Down, a grassroots, community-based intervention event designed to help the community’s homeless veterans.

COUNTIES Sarasota, Manatee, Collier, Lee, DeSoto, and Charlotte SERVICES

• Case Management • Financial Assistance • Employment Services • Connecting with VA Benefits • Housing Search + Placement • Legal assistance • Mentorships

ABOUT JFCS Founded in 1985, JFCS is a fully accredited, community-based non-profit organization serving

Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Collier, Lee and DeSoto counties in Florida, with the goal of empowering people to lead healthy, happy and sustainable lives. JFCS serves more than 29,000 individuals each year through mental health services and counseling, prevention, intervention, outreach, case management, basic life necessities, financial aid, and life skills education programs on a secular, non-denominational basis. For more information, visit www.JFCS-Cares.org or call 941-366-2224.

"Veterans Stand Down is an amazing community event that really makes a difference in the lives of Veterans. This one-day event is a time to come together and provide resources to help Veterans get back on their feet. JFCS is proud to coordinate this effort in collaboration with all of our community partners."

—Heidi Brown, CEO, JFCS of the Suncoast

JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST WEINBERG CAMPUS, 2688 FRUITVILLE RD., SARASOTA, FL | 941-366-2224 FLANZER CAMPUS, 1753 RINGLING BLVD., SARASOTA, FL | 941-374-3213 | JFCS-CARES.ORG

JULY 2019 | A SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO SRQ MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS

SARASOTA FORD WE SALUTE

VETERANS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVICE

ABOUT ONE COMMUNITY ONE TEAM, POWERED BY SARASOTA FORD The One Community One

Since the doors opened at Sarasota Ford more than two decades ago, the local community has allowed us to develop a successful business and hire thousands of people in our area. The least we can do is take time to give back and recognize some of the incredible people in our own backyard."

— Matt Buchanan, Operating Partner, Sarasota Ford

Team Project powered by Sarasota Ford is an effort to recognize the incredible causes, organizations and people in our local community. One key group at the center of this project are the tens of thousands of veterans living in the Sarasota-Manatee region.

The most recent One Community One Team Veterans Project provided an all-expense-paid full day trip for a WWII/Korean War hero, a purple heart recipient from Vietnam and two Gold Star parents from our area to visit Washington D.C. During this visit, the local heroes traveled on a private jet to visit the monuments (World War II and Vietnam Wall) built in their honor and the Gold Star Parents spent time with their son in his final resting spot in Arlington National Cemetery.

“Since the doors opened at Sarasota Ford more than two decades ago, the local community has allowed us to

develop a successful business and hire thousands of people in our area.

The least we can do is take time to give back and recognize some of the incredible people in our own backyard, which is why we launched The One Community One Team Project” says Matt Buchanan, Operating Partner of Sarasota Ford. “And no one deserves to be recognized and honored more than the Veterans who answered the call to serve, sacrificed time away from their family and risked their lives in order to provide us with the freedoms we enjoy each day.”

ABOUT SARASOTA FORD Sarasota Ford is Florida’s Premier Ford Dealership serving Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton & Nokomis. In addition to providing a customer focused sales and service experience, Sarasota Ford has been blessed to be a staple in the local community for over two decades by sponsoring over 1,000 education programs, community initiatives, and development charities. Learn more about Sarasota Ford at www.

SarasotaFord.com.

SARASOTA FORD 707 S WASHINGTON BLVD, SARASOTA LOCATED WHERE US 41 MEETS US 301 | 941.366.3673 SARASOTAFORD.COM | WWW.ONECOMMUNITYONETEAM.COM